How to Change Power Saving Mode of Wireless Adapters in Windows 11
Wireless adapter power saving mode in Windows 11 is a built-in setting that reduces power to your WiFi card to save battery life. Windows turns on a medium power-saving level by default, which can cause random WiFi drops and slow internet speeds.
You can fix connection drops by turning off this power-saving feature using the Device Manager tool. Changing this setting takes just a few clicks and keeps your internet running at full speed.
You can adjust your wireless adapter’s power saving mode via Control Panel or Command Prompt. In Control Panel , go to Power Options, change advanced settings, expand Wireless Adapter Settings, and select your preferred mode. Command Prompt requires administrator privileges and specific powercfg commands.
Why Does This Matter?
When you increase power savings, your wireless network will be slower but your battery will last longer. When you choose maximum performance, your WiFi will be faster but your battery will drain quicker.
The Four Power Saving Modes
- Maximum Performance: WiFi works at full speed. Uses more battery. This is the default when plugged in.
- Low Power Saving: WiFi is balanced between speed and battery life.
- Medium Power Saving: WiFi is balanced between speed and battery life. This is the default when on battery.
- Maximum Power Saving: WiFi uses the least power. Slowest connection.
Wireless adapter power settings include four distinct modes that manage how much electricity your Wi-Fi card uses. You can choose between Maximum Performance, Low Power Saving, Medium Power Saving, and Maximum Power Saving depending on whether you want the fastest internet speed or the longest possible battery life on your laptop.
Option 1Using Control Panel
Control Panel lets you change your wireless adapter power settings using the advanced power options menu. You can access this menu through the classic Control Panel interface to adjust how your Wi-Fi card handles battery life and performance without needing to type any commands.
Open the Control Panel . Look for the Power Options icon and click it.
Find your active power plan (such as "Balanced"). Click the link that says Change plan settings.
Click the link that says Change advanced power settings.
- 📝Good to KnowScroll down to find Wireless Adapter Settings.
Scroll down to find Wireless Adapter Settings. Click the plus sign to expand it. Then expand Power Saving Mode.Note: If you don't see Wireless Adapter Settings, you may need to add it first. %%SC0%%
You will see two dropdown menus: On battery and Plugged in. Choose which power saving mode you want for each. Your choices are Maximum Performance, Low Power Saving, Medium Power Saving, or Maximum Power Saving. Click OK when done.
📝NoteDesktop computers only show the "Plugged in" option unless they have a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) connected.Desktop computers only show the "Plugged in" option unless they have a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) connected.
You can close Control Panel now.
Option 2Using Command Prompt
Command Prompt allows you to change your wireless adapter power settings quickly by running specific powercfg commands. This advanced method lets you modify AC and DC power states directly through a command-line interface with administrator privileges.
⚠️ This option requires administrator privileges.
Right-click on Windows Terminal and select Run as administrator. Then choose Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell.
Copy and paste one of the commands below. Press Enter to run it.
For On Battery Mode:
Maximum Performance:
powercfg /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT 19cbb8fa-5279-450e-9fac-8a3d5fedd0c1 12bbebe6-58d6-4636-95bb-3217ef867c1a 0Low Power Saving:
powercfg /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT 19cbb8fa-5279-450e-9fac-8a3d5fedd0c1 12bbebe6-58d6-4636-95bb-3217ef867c1a 1Medium Power Saving:
powercfg /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT 19cbb8fa-5279-450e-9fac-8a3d5fedd0c1 12bbebe6-58d6-4636-95bb-3217ef867c1a 2Maximum Power Saving:
powercfg /SETDCVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT 19cbb8fa-5279-450e-9fac-8a3d5fedd0c1 12bbebe6-58d6-4636-95bb-3217ef867c1a 3For Plugged In Mode (Desktop Computers):
Maximum Performance:
powercfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT 19cbb8fa-5279-450e-9fac-8a3d5fedd0c1 12bbebe6-58d6-4636-95bb-3217ef867c1a 0Low Power Saving:
powercfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT 19cbb8fa-5279-450e-9fac-8a3d5fedd0c1 12bbebe6-58d6-4636-95bb-3217ef867c1a 1Medium Power Saving:
powercfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT 19cbb8fa-5279-450e-9fac-8a3d5fedd0c1 12bbebe6-58d6-4636-95bb-3217ef867c1a 2Maximum Power Saving:
powercfg /SETACVALUEINDEX SCHEME_CURRENT 19cbb8fa-5279-450e-9fac-8a3d5fedd0c1 12bbebe6-58d6-4636-95bb-3217ef867c1a 3
Summary
Wireless adapter power settings give you full control over how your Windows 11 computer balances internet speed and battery consumption. You can adjust these options using either the Control Panel interface or the Command Prompt tool depending on which method you prefer.
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Richard
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Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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